Punjab CM proposed transferring Chandigarh to the state 

Punjab’s Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, warns that centre to honour the principles of federalism and must not disrupt the balance of administration in Chandigarh. 

Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Chief Minister of Punjab, moved a resolution in the Punjab assembly asking the centre to transfer Punjab to the state. Moreover, the centre must not disrupt the serenity of the Punja

b administration. Mann says that the government is trying to disrupt the balance of the administration in Punjab. 

The Punjab Vidhan Sabha convened a special session. This came after Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that Chandigarh employees must obey central service standards.  

Further moving the resolution to the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Mann stated that there is an order established in the Punjab administration. But the centre is trying to disrupt it, along with other common assets. 

What did the resolution state? 

The resolution moved in the Punjab assembly alleged the centre government of disrupting the state administration’s calm. It stated that “Punjab was reorganised through the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966. The state was then reorganised into the state of Haryana and the Union territory of Chandigarh. Further, some parts of Punjab were transferred to the state of Himachal Pradesh. “ 

“Since then, the administration has been running in a balanced state. Common assets like the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) were functioning smoothly. Since then, the management positions have been held by the nominees of Punjab and Haryana. But now, the centre is trying to disrupt that function. “ 

How?

The central government is advertising the posts of BBMB to officers of other states and the central government too. Traditionally, these posts were held by officers from Punjab and Haryana. Similarly, the officers of Punjab and Haryana manage the Chandigarh administration by the ratio of 60:40. 

Currently, the centre has employed officers outside Punjab and Haryana. Furthermore, they have also imposed the central civil service rule. This goes completely against the understanding of the past. 

Chandigarh must be transferred to Punjab: Mann 

Initially, Chandigarh was the capital of Punjab. In all past cases, when a state was divided, the capital remained with the parent state. On such a basis, Punjab claims the complete transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab. 

Mann stated that earlier, this assembly had passed many resolutions for the Centre to transfer Chandigarh to Punjab. Furthermore, to maintain peace and harmony within the state, the assembly must take this huge decision. The state government of Punjab must raise the issue with the central government. So soon, Chandigarh will be transferred to Punjab.  

Published by: Shivani Bhalke

Edited by: Subbuthai Padma